Struggling to keep my horse in trot

[GraceAndCocoa]

Hi all,

My mare (20y/o) has been off work for 6 months due to lameness and I'm trying to bring her back into work slowly.
The issue is that I am really struggling to keep her balanced, and it is a fight to keep her in trot; she will walk fine, and is ALWAYS pushing to go into canter when I ask her to trot.
More often than not she will trot with her fore legs and canter with the hind. When I do allow her to canter it is incredibly fast and flat, and extremely unbalanced on the right rein. It's driving me a little loopy and I know it must be something I'm doing wrong. She doesn't listen to my half-halts until she's exhausted, but I don't want to have to exhaust her to get her to listen. It's dangerous for many reasons.

Does anyone have any tips?

I don't want to push her too hard in case she goes lame again. I'm also on my own more often than not so I don't have anyone to help me with poles.
For reference, she has always been forwards, but this is a new level and I'm not sure exactly what to do.
TIA

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

Quite simply it sounds as if she is in pain, probably low level; see the vet and possibly they will refer a physio. If this is new behaviour she isn’t just being lazy, also why break into canter? You want your horse to stretch without flattening. Also, she may have changed shape since being turned away, have you had her saddle checked?

 

[GraceAndCocoa]

Quite simply it sounds as if she is in pain, probably low level; see the vet and possibly they will refer a physio. If this is new behaviour she isn’t just being lazy, also why break into canter? You want your horse to stretch without flattening. Also, she may have changed shape since being turned away, have you had her saddle checked?

It's a bit bad I know, but usually if she was a bit hot to handle a canter round both reins would take the edge off her enough for her to focus. Hence why I've tried letting her have a canter despite the issues. It doesn't help now though.
The farrier insists that she's sound but I am worried that pain might still be an issue.
Thank you for your advice x

 

[ester]

If she is 'trantering' as you describe I'd get the vet to look her over before continuing.
How is she hacking?

 

[GraceAndCocoa]

If she is 'trantering' as you describe I'd get the vet to look her over before continuing.
How is she hacking?

She hacks lovely! Brisk and excited but no 'trantering'. Clear defined gaits the entire way.

 

[Littlebear]

If no issue physically (which I imagine there may be) but if all clear I would just do some walk then some light seat canter and then do some trot work. I’ve ridden 2 horses that were better like that.
I think habit says walk then trot then canter but sometimes walk then canter then trot is more beneficial x

 

[AmyMay]

I would suspect she has an issue that needs further investigation.

What lameness issue did she have before?

 

[GraceAndCocoa]

I would suspect she has an issue that needs further investigation.

What lameness issue did she have before?

She was falling really heavy on her left fore leg although the cause was unknown. She's got new shoes and the farrier insists that she's sound, only got a dissociated trot. I'm not so sure though. Think a vet visit is in order, if for nothing other than ruling things out.

 

[AmyMay]

Yes, best get the vet back out. Having already investigated one lameness and given you a course of action, they’re the best to advice on what to do next.

 

[Equi]

This was one of the main symptoms my old loan horse showed before he was retired with navicular.

 

[18hhOlls&Me]

That did cross my mind, but there could be lots of other explanations so don’t panic and get the professionals in ?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

As she doesn't exhibit any lameness when hacking it sounds to me as if she has a problem with the depth of the arena surface. Definitely needs a vet opinion, I would say.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Hi all,

My mare (20y/o) has been off work for 6 months due to lameness and I'm trying to bring her back into work slowly.
The issue is that I am really struggling to keep her balanced, and it is a fight to keep her in trot; she will walk fine, and is ALWAYS pushing to go into canter when I ask her to trot.
More often than not she will trot with her fore legs and canter with the hind. When I do allow her to canter it is incredibly fast and flat, and extremely unbalanced on the right rein. It's driving me a little loopy and I know it must be something I'm doing wrong. She doesn't listen to my half-halts until she's exhausted, but I don't want to have to exhaust her to get her to listen. It's dangerous for many reasons.

Does anyone have any tips?

I don't want to push her too hard in case she goes lame again. I'm also on my own more often than not so I don't have anyone to help me with poles.
For reference, she has always been forwards, but this is a new level and I'm not sure exactly what to do.
TIA

She is most likely lame and you need veterinary advice. The behaviour she shows is very common with bi-lateral lameness.